Aerosol generating device

Abstract

An aerosol generating device (1). The aerosol generating device comprises: a power source (221); a heating chamber (53); a heater (54) arranged to supply heat to the heating chamber; a control circuit (222) configured to control the supply of power from the power source to the heater; a frame (223, 224); and a housing (12) having an internal cavity containing the power source, the heating chamber, the heater, the control circuit and the frame. The frame is arranged between a first cavity of the internal cavity containing the heater and the heating chamber and a second cavity of the internal cavity containing the power source.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an aerosol generating device. The present disclosure is particularly applicable to a stand-alone low-temperature portable aerosol generating device. Such a device can heat tobacco or other suitable aerosol matrix materials by conduction, convection and / or radiation instead of burning to generate an aerosol for inhalation. Background Art

[0002] Over the past several years, risk reduction or modification devices, also known as vaporizers, have rapidly gained popularity and widespread use as an aid to help smokers who wish to quit traditional tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars and roll-ups. There are various devices and systems that heat or increase the temperature of an aerosolizable substance, rather than burning the tobacco in traditional tobacco products.

[0003] A common device for reducing or modifying risk is a heated substrate aerosol generating device or a non-combustion heating device. This device generates aerosol or steam by heating an aerosol substrate that usually contains moist tobacco leaves or other suitable aerosolizable substances to a temperature usually in the range of 150°C to 300°C. Heating the aerosol substrate instead of burning releases an aerosol that contains the ingredients sought by the user but does not contain the toxic and carcinogenic byproducts of combustion. In addition, the aerosol generated by heating tobacco or other aerosolizable substances usually does not contain the burnt or bitter taste that may make the user unhappy due to combustion, so there is no need to add sugar and other additives to the substrate as usual to make smoke and / or steam more palatable to the user.

[0004] It would be desirable to provide a device having increased safety and / or reliability.

[0005] In particular, in such aerosol generating devices, a heater must be used to heat the aerosol substrate, and it is inevitable that some heat will leak from the heater into the rest of the aerosol generating device. This heat may damage other components, such as the power supply of the heater or heat-sensitive electronic devices. In some cases, when components that are not designed to be heated become too hot, this may even be dangerous, with the risk of fire or explosion.

[0006] Additionally, the power supply may experience a leak or outgassing event, in which a fluid (liquid or gas) is produced from the power supply. These events may be normal behavior of the power supply and will not necessarily impair the function of the aerosol generating device. However, the fluid produced by such an event may indirectly impair the function, such as damaging delicate components of the control circuit or contaminating the heating chamber. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising: a power supply; a heating chamber; a heater arranged to supply heat to the heating chamber; a control circuit configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the heater; a frame; and a housing having an internal cavity containing the power supply, the heating chamber, the heater, the control circuit, and the frame. The frame is arranged between a first cavity of the internal cavity containing the heater and the heating chamber and a second cavity of the internal cavity containing the power supply.

[0008] By arranging the frame between a first cavity containing the heater and a second cavity containing the power supply, the power supply can be thermally protected from damage by any heat leakage from the heater and the heating chamber, and the heater and the heating chamber can be physically protected from damage by fluid leakage or outgassing events from the power supply.

[0009] Optionally, the shell is an elongated shell for hand-holding, and the first cavity, the frame and the second cavity are all arranged along the elongated direction of the shell.

[0010] Optionally, the first cavity comprises an air or vacuum zone adjacent to the heating chamber.

[0011] Optionally, the heating chamber and the heater are held by a frame so that they are not in contact with the housing.

[0012] By preventing the heating chamber and heater from contacting the housing, heat transfer to the housing which would otherwise cause the housing to become hot or even dangerously hot is inhibited. This also protects the heater and heating chamber from external damage, for example if the aerosol generating device is dropped.

[0013] Optionally, the power supply and control circuitry are held by the frame.

[0014] Optionally, the control circuit includes components mounted on a first printed circuit board (PCB) arranged along the frame in the second cavity.

[0015] By arranging the first PCB on the second cavity side of the frame, the first PCB can be thermally isolated from the heater and the heating chamber by the frame. This can reduce the effect of any heat leaking from the heating chamber on the components mounted on the first PCB.

[0016] Optionally, the first PCB is a double-sided PCB.

[0017] Optionally, the aerosol generating device further comprises a second PCB, which is arranged along the frame and located between the first cavity and the second cavity.

[0018] The substrate of the second PCB will serve as an additional thermal insulation layer to protect the control circuit in the second cavity.

[0019] Optionally, the second PCB is a single-sided PCB, and the control circuit further includes a component mounted on the second PCB and located in the second cavity.

[0020] Since one side of the second PCB may be exposed to heat leakage from the heater and heating chamber in the first cavity, it is advantageous for the second PCB to be a single-sided PCB, with components of the control circuit mounted on at most one side of the second PCB in the second cavity.

[0021] Optionally, the first PCB and the second PCB are connected by a flexible PCB portion, and the first PCB, the second PCB and the flexible PCB portion are arranged around the frame.

[0022] This use of a flexible PCB portion not only means that it is easy to guide the other one to the correct position when one of the first PCB and the second PCB is fixed, but also means that it is easy to print a larger area for the control circuit at one time and divide it between multiple surfaces at the same time, so as to fit the control circuit into an irregular space and reduce the space required for the control circuit, and help to reduce the volume of the aerosol generating device.

[0023] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an aerosol generating device is provided, comprising: a power supply; a heating chamber; a heater arranged to supply heat to the heating chamber; a control circuit configured to control the supply of power from the power supply to the heater; a frame; and a housing having an internal cavity containing the power supply, the heating chamber, the heater, the control circuit, and the frame. The frame is arranged between a third cavity of the internal cavity containing the heater, the heating chamber, and the control circuit and a fourth cavity of the internal cavity containing the power supply.

[0024] Optionally, the frame is arranged to prevent fluid from flowing from the fourth cavity to the third cavity.

[0025] This protects the heater, heating chamber and control circuitry from potential damage or contamination due to outgassing or leaks from the power supply.

[0026] Optionally, the shell is an elongated shell for hand-holding, and the third cavity, the frame and the fourth cavity are all arranged along the elongated direction of the shell.

[0027] Optionally, the power supply is held by the frame.

[0028] Optionally, the first aspect and the second aspect may be combined with each other to provide an aerosol generating device, comprising: a first frame arranged between a first cavity containing a heater and a heating chamber and a fifth cavity of an internal cavity containing a control circuit; and a second frame arranged between the fifth cavity containing the control circuit and a fourth cavity containing a power source.

[0029] The advantage of this arrangement is that the control circuit is protected from heat leakage from the heater subassembly and from fluids generated by the power supply.

[0030] Optionally, the control circuit includes components mounted on a PCB held between the first frame and the second frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1A and 1B is a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device;

[0032] Figure 2A and 2B is a schematic diagram of the intermediate subassembly and the shell subassembly;

[0033] Figure 3A and 3B is a schematic diagram of a portion of an intermediate subassembly;

[0034] Figure 4A , 4B , 4C and 4D are schematic diagrams of another portion of the intermediate subassembly;

[0035] Figure 5A , 5B and 5C is a schematic diagram of a heater subassembly;

[0036] Fig. 6A and 6B is a schematic diagram of a portion of an intermediate subassembly;

[0037] Fig. 7A and 7B is a schematic diagram of the inlet sub-assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] As a schematic diagram of an aerosol generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1A , 1B , 2A and 2B show a series of modular subassemblies assembled in an aerosol generating device. Figures 3A to 6B More details of each subassembly are shown. It will be appreciated that many details of the embodiments are not relevant to explaining the innovative aspects of the claimed device, and therefore, for the sake of brevity, certain features shown in the drawings are not described in detail, and, for the sake of simplicity, certain features are omitted entirely in some drawings to better illustrate features relevant to understanding and implementing the invention.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 1A According to one embodiment of the present invention, the aerosol generating device 1 includes an inlet subassembly 11 and a housing subassembly 12 .

[0040] The aerosol generating device 1 has an overall elongated pebble-like shape, with a top end provided with an aerosol, a bottom end opposite the top end, and four side surfaces between the bottom end and the top end, the four side surfaces being arranged in a substantially quadrilateral arrangement with two larger opposing side surfaces and two smaller opposing side surfaces.

[0041] The inlet subassembly 11 is located at the top end and includes a device for opening and closing the inlet to the heating chamber inside the aerosol generating device 1, so that the user can supply the aerosol substrate (e.g., tobacco) to be heated in the heating chamber, obtain the generated aerosol, clean the heating chamber, etc. In this embodiment, the inlet device has a cover 111 attached to the slider mechanism.

[0042] The housing subassembly 12 provides a housing for the internal components of the aerosol generating device 1, such as the power supply, heating chamber, heater, control circuit and frame, and provides at least a portion of the side and bottom of the aerosol generating device 1. In this embodiment, the housing is an elongated housing for hand-held use, but of course, the benefits of the present invention can also be achieved in an aerosol generating device 1 that is not suitable for hand-held use. In addition, if Figure 1A As shown in the central straight area 121 of the housing subassembly 12, in this embodiment, the aerosol generating device 1 includes one or more indicators (such as indicator lights) and one or more input devices (such as buttons) for controlling the aerosol generating device. In embodiments with indicators or input devices, the housing subassembly may include a translucent portion or a touch-sensitive portion, or may simply include a gap that allows access to the internal indicator and input device.

[0043] Please refer to Figure 1B In this schematic diagram, the inlet subassembly 11 and the housing subassembly 12 are shown as “transparent” (shown by dashed edges), and it can be seen that the aerosol generating device 1 also includes an intermediate subassembly 13 accommodated in the inlet subassembly 11 and the housing subassembly 12.

[0044] Figure 2A The details of the intermediate subassembly 13 are schematically shown, Figure 2B The interior cavity of the housing subassembly is schematically shown.

[0045] Please refer to Figure 2A The intermediate subassembly 13 includes a heater subassembly 21 fixed opposite to a power and control subassembly 22 .

[0046] The heater subassembly 21 includes a heater and a heating chamber, wherein the heater is arranged in the heater subassembly to supply heat to the heating chamber. The heater subassembly will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0047] The power supply and control subassembly 22 includes a power supply 221, which is a battery in this case. The power supply and control subassembly 22 also includes a control circuit 222, which is configured to control the power supply from the power supply to the heater. In this embodiment, the control circuit 222 is mounted on multiple PCBs, as described below.

[0048] The power supply 221 and the control circuit 222 are supported by a heater subassembly support frame 223 and a power supply support frame 224 .

[0049] The heater subassembly support frame 223 is arranged to divide the internal cavity of the housing subassembly 12 into a first cavity and a second cavity. The first cavity contains the heater subassembly 21, which includes a heater and a heating chamber. The second cavity contains the power supply 221. Figure 2A and Figure 1B As shown, in this embodiment, the first cavity, the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the second cavity are arranged along the elongated direction of the shell of the shell subassembly 12, but as described above, not all embodiments of the present invention are elongated, and in such non-elongated embodiments, the heater subassembly support frame 223 can be arranged in any manner that divides the internal cavity of the shell into the first cavity and the second cavity. Figure 2A This division is schematically shown using dashed line A in FIG, with the first cavity being to the left of line A in the figure and the second cavity being to the right of line A in the figure. With this arrangement, the heater subassembly support frame 223, in addition to supporting the heater subassembly 21, also has the effect of protecting the power supply 221 from any heat leaking from the heater subassembly 21. The heater subassembly support frame 223 is optionally made of an insulating material to isolate the control circuit 222 and the power supply 221 from the heater subassembly 21, although the combined frame and shielding effect is only achieved using a moderately insulating material, such as plastic. The heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224 may, for example, include polyamide (PA) and / or polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

[0050] In addition, in this embodiment, the heater subassembly 21 including the heating chamber and the heater is held by the heater subassembly support frame 223, so that neither the heating chamber nor the heater contacts the shell of the shell subassembly 12. The device for holding the heater subassembly 21 is further described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4. The device inhibits the conduction of heat from the heater subassembly to the shell, otherwise such conduction will cause the handheld shell to become hot or even dangerous. This can also protect the heater subassembly 21 from external damage, for example, in the event that the aerosol generating device 1 falls. However, these benefits are separate from the cavity division feature, and some embodiments may omit the feature of the heater subassembly support frame 223 that holds and suspends the heater and / or heating chamber.

[0051] The power supply support frame 224 is arranged to divide the internal cavity of the housing subassembly 12 into a third cavity and a fourth cavity. The third cavity contains the heater subassembly 21, which includes a heater and a heating chamber, and the third cavity also contains the control circuit 222. The fourth cavity contains the power supply 221. Figure 2A and Figure 1B As shown, in this embodiment, the third cavity, the power supply support frame 224 and the fourth cavity are arranged along the elongated direction of the shell of the shell subassembly 12, but as described above, not all embodiments of the present invention are elongated, and in such non-elongated embodiments, the power supply support frame 224 can be arranged in any manner that divides the internal cavity of the shell into the third cavity and the fourth cavity. Figure 2A This division is schematically shown in FIG. 1 using a dotted line B, wherein the third cavity is on the left side of the line B in the figure, and the fourth cavity is on the right side of the line B in the figure. With this arrangement, the power supply support frame 224 has the effect of preventing the fluid from flowing from the fourth cavity to the third cavity in addition to supporting the power supply 221. This can protect the heater, the heating chamber and the control circuit from potential damage or contamination caused by degassing or leakage of the power supply 221.

[0052] In addition, in this embodiment, the power supply 221 is held by the power supply support frame 224 so that the power supply 221 does not contact the housing of the housing subassembly 12. For example, an adhesive (e.g., glue), a welded joint that also forms an electrical contact, or a mechanical connection (e.g., snap fit) can be used to hold the power supply 221 in place. Not touching the housing ensures that there is room to allow deflation or leakage to occur during normal operation of the power supply 221, even if the power supply support frame 224 prevents such leakage from expanding or flowing into the third cavity. This can also protect the power supply 221 from external damage, such as when the aerosol generating device 1 falls. However, these benefits are separate from the cavity division feature, and some embodiments may omit the feature of the power supply support frame 224 that holds and suspends the power supply 221.

[0053] By the above-mentioned segmented combination of the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224, the middle fifth cavity is defined as the overlapping portion between the second cavity and the third cavity, so that Figure 1BAs shown, in the entire aerosol generating device 1, the first cavity including the heater and the heating chamber is on one side of the heater subassembly support frame 223, the fifth cavity including the control circuit 222 is between the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224, and the fourth cavity including the power supply 221 is on the other side of the power supply support frame 224. However, it should be noted that although the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224 both exist in this embodiment, only one of them is necessary, and the other may be omitted in an alternative embodiment.

[0054] like Figure 2A As also shown, the power and control subassembly 22 may include an indicator array 225 of one or more indicators (e.g., LEDs) for indicating the status of the device and an indicator array 225 associated with the device. Figure 1A The central straight area 121 of the housing subassembly 12 corresponds to one or more input devices 226 (e.g., touch switches). The power and control subassembly 22 may also include a vibrator subassembly 227 to provide a further indication of the status of the device. In addition, the power and control subassembly 22 may include an external electrical connector 228 for charging the power supply 221 and optionally for transmitting data to or receiving data from the control circuit 222.

[0055] In addition, if Figure 2A As shown, in this embodiment, a space is left beside the heater subassembly 21 in the first cavity. This space corresponds to the part of the aerosol generating device 1 that is most susceptible to the heat leaked from the heater subassembly 21, and is kept empty to prevent the susceptible parts from being exposed to the leaked heat. This empty space can be kept as a vacuum (the "vacuum" here includes air significantly below the standard pressure) to limit the convective heat conduction from the heater subassembly 21. Alternatively, this empty space can be filled with air. In this case, air can be allowed to flow between the empty space and the outside of the aerosol generating device 1 to mitigate the impact of heat leaking from the inside of the heater subassembly 21.

[0056] like Figure 2B As shown, the housing subassembly 12 is substantially hollow to accommodate at least a portion of the intermediate subassembly 13. Figure 1B It can be seen that in this embodiment, the intermediate subassembly 13 extends from the housing subassembly 12 and is partially received by the inlet subassembly 11. In other embodiments, the intermediate subassembly 13 may fit completely within the housing subassembly 12.

[0057] Now please refer to Figure 3A and 3B, which shows a portion of a power and control subassembly of one embodiment. This figure may or may not actually represent a stage of manufacture of a corresponding aerosol generating device, but is specifically included here to show details of the power and control subassembly of this embodiment. Figure 3A In the view of FIG. 2 , the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224 are indicated as “transparent” by dashed lines, so that the first PCB 31 arranged along the length of the heater subassembly support frame 223 between the two frames may be seen. On the other hand, Figure 3B The first PCB 31 is partially enclosed between the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224. In this embodiment, the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224 are aligned with each other on both sides of the first PCB 31. The advantage of this arrangement is that the first PCB 31 is in the second cavity (so as not to be affected by the heat leaking from the heater subassembly 21) and in the third cavity (so as not to be affected by the fluid generated by the power supply 221). Therefore, one or more fragile components of the control circuit 222 (i.e., components that are sensitive to heat or to the fluid that may be generated by the power supply) can be arranged on one or both sides of the first PCB 31, and, in order to fully utilize the surface area of ​​the first PCB 31, the PCB can be a double-sided PCB. For example, the first PCB 31 can have a processor chip or a memory chip mounted thereon.

[0058] To help align the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224, in this embodiment, the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224 include respective first guide members 32 and 32' that fit together when the frames are properly aligned. For example, the first guide members 32 and 32' may be protrusions or pins, and corresponding recesses or holes. Alternatively or in addition, in other embodiments, the first PCB 31 may have a first guide member that is used to align the first PCB 31 with the corresponding first guide members of the heater subassembly support frame 223 and / or the power supply support frame.

[0059] To facilitate alignment of the power and control subassembly 22 with the heater subassembly 21 , the heater subassembly support frame further includes second guide members 33 , 35 adapted to cooperate with corresponding second guide members on the heater subassembly 21 .

[0060] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the power and control subassembly is formed using a snap fit connector 34 which attaches the heater subassembly support frame 223 to the power support frame 224, thereby holding the first PCB 31 in place.

[0061] Now please refer to Figure 4A , 4B 4C and 4D, which show another portion of the power and control subassembly from different angles around the subassembly. Figure 3A and 3B Likewise, these figures may or may not actually represent a stage of manufacture of the corresponding aerosol generating device, but are specifically included here to illustrate the details of the power supply and control subassembly of this embodiment. Figure 4C and 4D shown in Figure 4A and 4B In order to understand the comparison between these figures, it should be noted that Figure 4B is relative to Figure 4A , 4C and 4D are mirrored horizontally to more effectively show the flexible PCB portion 41.

[0062] like Figure 4A As shown in Figure 1-D, the power and control subassembly 22 of this embodiment includes a first PCB 31, a second PCB 42 and a flexible PCB portion 41, wherein the first PCB 31 and the second PCB 42 are connected to each other through the flexible PCB portion 41. Each of the first PCB 31 and the second PCB 42 has one or more components of the control circuit 222 mounted thereon. In this embodiment, the power and control subassembly 22 may include another PCB, such as a PCB for mounting Figure 2A and 4C An indicator array 225 and input device 226 are shown.

[0063] The flexible PCB portion 41 surrounds the heater subassembly support frame 223, and the second PCB 42 is attached to the heater subassembly support frame 223, so that the heater subassembly support frame 223 is between the first PCB 31 and the second PCB 42. This use of the flexible PCB portion not only means that it is easy to guide the other one to the correct position when one of the first PCB 31 and the second PCB 42 is fixed, but also means that it is easy to print a large area for the control circuit 222 at one time and divide it between multiple surfaces at the same time, so as to fit the control circuit 222 into an irregular space and reduce the space required for the control circuit 222, and help to reduce the volume of the aerosol generating device 1.

[0064] Figure 4A Also shown is an example of a first guide member 32 ″ in the first PCB 31 as described above, in addition to or instead of the first guide members 32 and 32 ′ in the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224 .

[0065] like Figure 4B , 4C As shown in FIGS. 4D and 4D , the second PCB 42 is arranged along the heater subassembly support frame 223 to form part of the boundary between the first cavity and the second cavity. In other words, one side of the second PCB 42 is exposed to the first cavity, in which the second PCB 42 may be exposed to heat leaking from the heater subassembly 21, while the other side of the second PCB 42 abuts against the heater subassembly support frame 223, or faces a gap in the heater subassembly support frame 223. Since one side of the second PCB 42 may be exposed to the leaked heat, it is advantageous for the second PCB 42 to be a single-sided PCB, and the components of the control circuit 222 are at most mounted on one side of the second PCB 42 located in the second cavity. In this way, the substrate of the second PCB 42 will act as a thermal insulation layer to protect the control circuit 222 in the second cavity. However, in order to utilize the side of the second PCB 42 facing the first cavity, this side may be provided with electrical contacts 44 for testing and / or connecting to the heater subassembly 21. When the power and control subassembly 22 is installed, these electrical contacts 44 remain exposed, making it easier to test the power and control subassembly and make electrical connections between the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22. The heater subassembly support frame 223 may also include a snap-fit ​​connector 43 for attaching the second PCB 42 to the frame.

[0066] Figure 4C A gap in the heater subassembly support frame 223 is shown through which components of the control circuit 222 mounted on the first PCB 31 are visible before the second PCB 42 is attached to the heater subassembly support frame. At this stage of assembly, the first PCB 31 is still attached to the second PCB 42 via the flexible PCB portion 41. Figure 4C Also shown are components of the control circuit 222 mounted on the second PCB 42. When the second PCB 42 is attached to the heater subassembly support frame 223, the components of the control circuit 222 mounted on the first and second PCBs are protected by the substrate of the second PCB 42, and the heater subassembly support frame 223 separates the first cavity exposed to heat from the heater subassembly 21 from the second cavity containing the control circuit 222 and the power supply 221. On the other hand, as Figure 4D As shown, the reverse side of the second PCB 42 including the electrical contacts 44 is exposed to the first cavity.

[0067] Figure 5A , 5B 5C show some additional details of the heater subassembly 21 as described below.

[0068] Figure 5A and5B The following are the end view and side view of the complete heater subassembly 21. Figure 5A and 5B A heater end frame 51 is provided at each end of the heater subassembly 21 to support, align and attach the heater subassembly. The heater end frame 51 includes respective second guide members 33' and 35', which are used to assist in the alignment between the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22.

[0069] A heat insulating sheath 52 is provided between the heater end frames 51. The heat insulating sheath 52 surrounds Figure 5C 1 and 12 , respectively. The heating chamber 53 and the heater 54 are shown in the figure. The heating chamber is an elongated chamber that is open at one end corresponding to the inlet subassembly 11, and includes a heat conductive material, such as metal, to conduct heat from the heater 54 wrapped outside the heating chamber 53 to the aerosol matrix material in the heating chamber 53. The heat insulating jacket 52 is used to insulate and contain the heat generated by the heater 54, so that the heat is more efficiently transferred to the heating chamber 53, and other components of the aerosol generating device 1 are less exposed to the heat from the heater 54. In this embodiment, the heater subassembly 21 also includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature in the heater subassembly.

[0070] The heater 54 and the temperature sensor have electrical contacts or connections to receive power and obtain measurements, respectively.

[0071] Fig. 6A and 6B It is schematically shown how the installation cap 23 is used to complete the installation of the intermediate subassembly 13 .

[0072] like Fig. 6A As shown, the corresponding second guide members 33, 33', 35 and 35' of the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 are aligned and fitted together. Like the first guide members, the second guide members can be protrusions or pins, and corresponding recesses or holes. As a result of this alignment and fitting, the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 are correctly positioned, but not yet attached.

[0073] like Figure 6B As shown, the mounting cap 23 (shown as "transparent" in dashed lines) is arranged to be fitted on the ends of the aligned heater subassembly 21 and power and control subassembly 22 in the longitudinal direction, at least partially covering the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22. The mounting cap 23 forms the top of the approximately T-shaped frame assembly combining the heater subassembly support frame 223 and the power supply support frame 224, and can be arranged to close the top of the first to fifth cavities when the intermediate subassembly 13 is accommodated in the housing subassembly 12 (wherein the orientation of the "top" is based on the following example). Figure 1A Thus, this may be achieved by direct or indirect attachment to the mounting cap 23, when components of the intermediate subassembly 13 are suspended in the housing without contacting the housing.

[0074] The heater subassembly 21, the power and control subassembly 22 and the mounting cap 23 are adapted to interlock with each other so that when the mounting cap 23 is arranged on the end, the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 cannot be separated from each other. In particular, in this embodiment, the mounting cap 23 is adapted to surround and partially cover the ends of the aligned heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 in the longitudinal direction, and the second guide members 33, 33', 35, 35' are arranged to prevent the relative movement between the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 in the longitudinal direction because such movement is transverse to the direction of the second guide member. Therefore, by attaching the mounting cap 23 to one or both of the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22, the relative movement between the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 in the longitudinal direction can be prevented because such movement is transverse to the direction of the second guide member, and the movement around the longitudinal direction between the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 can be prevented because such movement is transverse to the direction of the second guide member or is blocked by the mounting cap covering and surrounding. Therefore, the heater subassembly 21 is fixed opposite the power and control subassembly 22.

[0075] In this embodiment, the mounting cap 23 is attached to the power support frame 224 of the power and control subassembly 22 at the mounting cap attachment point 61. The attachment can be made using one or more reversible fastening devices (e.g., screws). By using reversible fastening devices for this attachment, it is easier to extract the heater subassembly 21 for cleaning, although other embodiments use a snap-fit ​​or press-fit connection at the mounting cap attachment point 61.

[0076] It should be noted that the mounting cap 23 is not necessary for fixing the heater subassembly 21 to the power and control subassembly 22, and, in other embodiments, such fixing can be performed by providing an additional snap-fit ​​or press-fit connector as an alternative or supplement to the second guide member 33, 33', 35, 35'. This alternative embodiment can further reduce the number of parts and steps required to manufacture the aerosol generating device. However, even if the mounting cap 23 is not used to fix the heater subassembly 21 directly to the power and control subassembly 22, including the mounting cap 23 is also beneficial for attaching the inlet subassembly 11 and the housing subassembly 12. In particular, the mounting cap 23 provides a modular attachment interface that is independent of the other components of the intermediate subassembly 13 and can be adapted to be conveniently attached to the housing of the device and is separate from the adaptation of the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 for any other purpose.

[0077] like Figure 6B As shown, when the heater subassembly 21 is fixed to the power and control subassembly 22, it is easy to install an electrical connection, such as a wire, between the heater subassembly 21 and the power and control subassembly 22 using the exposed electrical contacts 44 of the power and control subassembly 22 and the electrical contacts or connections of the heater 54 and the temperature sensor of the heater subassembly 21.

[0078] Now please refer to Fig. 7A and 7B , where some additional details of the inlet subassembly 11 are described.

[0079] Fig. 7A A view of the inlet subassembly 11 is shown in which the inlet housing 71 is made “transparent” (shown in phantom) so that the internal features of the inlet subassembly 11 are more easily seen.

[0080] The cover 111 is attached to the slider carriage 73. The slider carriage is arranged to slide along the slider rail 74 so that the cover 111 can slide between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, the opening in the inlet housing 71 is blocked by the cover 111. In the open position, the opening in the inlet housing 71 is open. When the aerosol generating device 1 is assembled and the cover 111 is in the open position, the opening in the inlet housing 71 provides an entrance to the heating chamber 53.

[0081] like Fig. 7A As shown, the inlet housing 71 includes a snap-fit ​​connector 75 for attaching the inlet subassembly 11 to the intermediate subassembly 13. In this embodiment, two opposing snap-fit ​​connectors 75 are arranged corresponding to two smaller opposing sides of the aerosol generating device 1, of course, any effective connector arrangement can also be used. Like the aforementioned snap-fit ​​connector, the snap-fit ​​connector can also be a press-fit connector.

[0082] In addition, the inlet housing 71 includes a stepped edge along its bottom edge (as shown). The inner edge 77 extends downwardly beyond the outer edge 76. The stepped edge helps to secure the inlet subassembly 11 and the housing subassembly 12 together and can distribute impact stresses from the snap-fit ​​connector 75, thereby helping to prevent weak points in the structure at the joint between the inlet subassembly 11 and the intermediate subassembly 13.

[0083] Go to Figure 7B In this figure, the slider rail 74 is hidden so that the slider biasing mechanism 78 can be better seen, and the slider biasing mechanism 78 is used to return the slider cart 73 and the cover 111 to the closed position. This helps to ensure that the heating chamber 53 is covered when not in use.

[0084] Definitions and Alternative Embodiments

[0085] It should be understood from the above description that many of the features of the described embodiments perform independent functions with independent benefits. Therefore, each of these independent features of the embodiments of the invention defined in the claims may be independently selected for inclusion or omission.

[0086] For example, in the above-described embodiments, a particular design of the power and control subassembly 22 including multiple PCBs is used. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the control circuit 222 may be provided without the use of a printed circuit board, particularly in the case where the control is relatively simple, such as in the case of a very simple switch and impedance setting circuit for turning the heater on and off. Alternatively, embodiments of the present invention may have only one of the first PCB 31 and the second PCB 42 as described above.

[0087] The term "heater" is understood to refer to any device that is used to output heat energy that is enough to form aerosol from aerosol substrate. The transfer of heat energy from heater 54 to aerosol substrate can be conduction, convection, radiation or any combination of these modes. As a non-limiting example, a conductive heater can directly contact and press the aerosol substrate, or they can contact with independent components, such as a heating chamber, which itself heats the aerosol substrate by conduction, convection and / or radiation.

[0088] Heater can obtain power by electricity, combustion or any other appropriate mode.Electric heater can include resistance heating element (optionally including insulation package), induction heating system (for example including electromagnet and high frequency oscillator) etc.Heater 54 can be arranged around the outside of aerosol matrix, can partially or completely penetrate into aerosol matrix, or adopt any combination of these forms.For example, aerosol generating device can have a blade-type heater extending into the aerosol matrix in the heating chamber, rather than the heater of the above-described embodiment.

[0089] The term "temperature sensor" is used to describe an element capable of determining the absolute or relative temperature of a portion of the aerosol generating device 1. Such elements may include thermocouples, thermopiles, thermistors, etc. The temperature sensor may be part of another component, or may be a separate component. In some examples, more than one temperature sensor may be provided, for example, for monitoring the heating of different parts of the aerosol generating device 1, for example, for determining a thermal profile. Alternatively, in some examples, a temperature sensor is not included; for example, this is possible in the case where a thermal profile has been reliably established and the temperature can be assumed based on the operation of the heater 54.

[0090] The control circuit 222 in the drawings is shown as having a button operable by a single user to trigger the aerosol generating device 1 to start. This maintains the simplicity of the control and reduces the chances of the user misusing the aerosol generating device 1 or failing to properly control the aerosol generating device 1. However, in some cases, the input control device available to the user may be more complex than this, such as for controlling the temperature (e.g., within preset limits), changing the flavor balance of the vapor, or switching between an energy-saving mode or a rapid heating mode.

[0091] Aerosol substrate comprises tobacco, for example tobacco of drying or curing form, and in some cases also contains the additional component for seasoning or producing smoother or more pleasant experience.In some instances, vaporizer can be used to process aerosol substrate, for example tobacco.Vaporizer can improve the steam produced from aerosol substrate.For example, vaporizer can comprise polyol (for example glycerine) or glycol (for example propylene glycol).In some cases, aerosol substrate can contain tobacco, even contain nicotine, but can contain natural or artificial for seasoning, volatilization, improve smoothness and / or provide other pleasant effect composition.Aerosol substrate can be provided in the form of shredded, particle, powder, granulation, strip or sheet solid or pasty material, can be the combination of these forms alternatively.Equally, aerosol substrate can be liquid or gel.In fact, some examples can comprise solid and liquid / gel part.

[0092] Therefore, the aerosol generating device 1 can also be called a "heating tobacco device", a "non-combustion heating tobacco device", a "device for vaporizing tobacco products", etc., which can be interpreted as devices suitable for achieving these effects. The features disclosed herein are also applicable to devices designed to vaporize any aerosol substrate.

[0093] Aerosol generating device 1 can be arranged to aerosol matrix is ​​accommodated in pre-packaged matrix carrier.This matrix carrier can be roughly similar to cigarette, has tubular area, and aerosol matrix is ​​arranged in matrix carrier in a suitable manner.Filter, steam collection area, cooling area and other structure can also be included in some designs.The outer layer of paper or other flexible plane material (for example foil) can also be provided, for example, for aerosol matrix is ​​kept in place, makes it more similar to cigarette etc.This matrix carrier can be fitted in heating chamber 53, or can be longer than heating chamber 53, thus when aerosol generating device 1 is provided with matrix carrier, lid 111 keeps opening.In such embodiment, aerosol can directly provide from matrix carrier, and this matrix carrier serves as the mouthpiece of aerosol generating device.

[0094] As used herein, the term "fluid" should be interpreted as generally describing non-solid materials that are capable of flowing, including but not limited to gases, liquids, pastes, gels, powders, etc. "Fluidized material" should be correspondingly interpreted as a material that is essentially fluid or has been modified to behave like a fluid. Fluidization may include but is not limited to powdering, dissolving in a solvent, gelling, thickening, thinning, etc.

[0095] As used herein, the term "volatile" refers to a substance that can easily change from a solid or liquid state to a gaseous state. As a non-limiting example, a volatile substance can be a substance having a boiling point or sublimation temperature close to room temperature at ambient pressure. Accordingly, "volatilize" is understood to mean to volatilize (a material) and / or to vaporize or disperse it in a vapor.

[0096] As used herein, the term "vapor" means: (i) the form to which a liquid naturally transforms when subjected to sufficient heat; or (ii) liquid / moisture particles suspended in the atmosphere and appearing as clouds of steam / smoke; or (iii) a fluid that fills space like a gas but can be liquefied simply by pressure below its critical temperature.

[0097] Consistent with this definition, the term "vaporize" means: (i) becoming or causing to become vapor; and (ii) a particle changing physical state (ie, from a liquid or solid to a gaseous state).

[0098] As used herein, the term "atomization" means: (i) reducing (a substance, especially a liquid) into very small particles or droplets; and (ii) the particles remain in the same physical state (liquid or solid) as before atomization.

[0099] The term "aerosol" used in this article refers to a particle system dispersed in air or gas, such as mist, dense fog or smoke. Therefore, the term "aerosolization" refers to making an aerosol and / or being dispersed into an aerosol. It should be noted that the meaning of aerosol / aerosolization is consistent with the volatilization, atomization and vaporization defined above. In order to avoid doubt, aerosol is used to consistently describe the mist or droplet comprising atomized, volatilized or vaporized particles. Aerosol also includes mist or droplet comprising any combination of atomized, volatilized or vaporized particles.

Claims

1. An aerosol generating device, comprising: Power supply (221); Heating chamber (53); a heater (54) arranged to supply heat to the heating chamber; a control circuit (222) configured to control power supplied from a power source to the heater; Frame (224); and a housing (11, 12) having an internal cavity containing a power source, a heating chamber, a heater, a control circuit and a frame, The frame (224) is arranged between a third cavity of the internal cavity containing a heater (54), a heating chamber (53) and a control circuit (222) and a fourth cavity of the internal cavity containing a power source, Characterized in that the frame (224) is arranged to prevent fluid from flowing from the fourth cavity to the third cavity.

2. An aerosol generating device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shell (11, 12) is an elongated shell for hand-holding, and the third cavity, the frame (224) and the fourth cavity are all arranged along the elongated direction of the shell.

3. An aerosol generating device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the third cavity comprises an air or vacuum zone adjacent to the heating chamber (53).

4. An aerosol generating device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the power source (221) is held by a frame (224).

5. An aerosol generating device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the power supply (221) and the control circuit (222) are held by a frame (224).

6. The aerosol generating device according to claim 1, further comprising: A second frame (223) is arranged between a first portion of the third cavity containing the heater (54) and the heating chamber (53) and a second portion of the third cavity containing the control circuit (222).

7. An aerosol generating device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the control circuit comprises components mounted on a first PCB (31) held between the frame (224) and a second frame (223).

8. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7, wherein the first PCB (31) is a double-sided PCB.

9. The aerosol generating device according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a second PCB (42) arranged along the second frame (223) and located between the first part of the third cavity and the second part of the third cavity.

10. The aerosol generating device of claim 9, wherein the second PCB (42) is a single-sided PCB, and the control circuit (222) further comprises a component mounted on the second PCB (42) and located in the second portion of the third cavity.

11. The aerosol generating device according to claim 9, wherein the first PCB (31) and the second PCB (42) are connected by a flexible PCB portion (41), and the first PCB, the second PCB and the flexible PCB portion are arranged around a second frame (223).

12. The aerosol generating device according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the heating chamber (53) and the heater (54) are held by a second frame (223) so that they are not in contact with the housing.

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